Expect restaurant menu price to be higher once states open up The cost of food is surging As restaurants nationwide ramp up to pre-pandemic levels some customers may notice something new on the menu -- higher prices! and last updated 2021-06-01 11:26:30-04 (KERO) â As restaurants nationwide ramp up to pre-pandemic levels some customers may notice something new on the menu -- higher prices! The reason? The cost of food especially beef, pork, and chicken are surging. One warehouse near Omaha, Nebraska says it had no choice but to add $2 to all chicken and beef items and an extra $3 for steak.